The animal and wildlife forum concentrates on drawings of all animals, from domestic pets to wildlife - anything dressed in fur, feathers or scales. The emphasis is on drawing but paintings are also acceptable.

Hi all, I've been commissioned to draw a workmate's enormous Mastiff. Unfortunately the photos I received were less than ideal for creating my usual level of detail. I tried, really I did! But I gave up and asked to photograph the dog myself and she was more than happy to oblige.

The original reference photo. Very cute but can't see her eyes or any real fur detail. Placed that one into the "too hard" basket after an hour.

My photograph. Much better! I have a professional DSLR for my photography work so I have more than enough detail now, plus a much happier looking dog to draw!

And here we are after a little over 7hrs of work now. Still a lot to do but very happy with how she is progressing!

I've already post a comment on FB dear Krissy It is very nice looking portrait and you've had very good idea to take a better photo by yourself to start this portrait I do like your photo more than the other one, though It's going to be another well done portrait All the best

Much better ref photo Krissy, it's often very difficult using the customers photos, many don't know how to take a decent photo. Your drawing is looking great, I particularly like the open mouth, makes for more character.

Thank you so much Artur, Laurene & Bev! This client is so wonderful, she is very excited about the drawing. Her husband told me I should give up my day job and do this for a living. I'm trying!! She also wants to commission me in August to draw her sisters long-hair German Shepherd!

I've just reached 11 hours on this. I had quoted expecting 10-12hrs work but the mouth open makes for a lot more work so I will charge more for mouth-open drawings in the future. Will finish the drawing this weekend.

It does look great Krissy, you've mentioned about charging more...My client gots its tattoos Especially the letters on his chest took me a WHILE to mark them His wife is this kind of person who has everywhere lots of freckles Many times I'm spending hours not seing much progress?Yesterday I promised to my wife to spent no more than an hour... I've lost sense of time then, she came to me complains that it's three hours already, and if I shall spend some time woth her yet Do you know how much I'll charge for this drawing Krissy?£35 My client should be happy with this price The drawing was promised two years ago, so I'm honest and I kept the prise as it were at that time...Silly me I know but honest

Gosh they should be very happy with that price! You could easily charge 10x that for your work!

I've just finished the drawing of Bella. Her owner cried upon receiving the drawing and told me she is paying me an extra $260 above what we had agreed on!! Not only that but she is commissioning me to draw her sisters longhair German Shepherd too! A wonderful outcome

Your work is excellent so I'm not surpriced they are very very pleased to see it, and showing you how they love it by giving you even more money ...I know I should charge reasonable price for my drawing, but at the same time I do feel I should keep my word given, do you understand...So I ask him for this silly price, It makes me kind of laughing, knowing how many hours I'm working on this detailed drawing, you know I mean And for me it is kind of test for my friend too...He is very smart person, he was my trainer, guiding me through work tests,helping me pass it,every time he's telling me many compliments regarding my skills, ensuring me that he do and will recommends my arts every time he can to his friends and other people he meets...So this is my test for him as well He is fully aware, how much time it takes to draw such portrait, he's overwhelmed by my patience, and skills to draw drawings like this...So for sure he's aware that this price given is silly, compared to my time spent on it I'm counting now on his smart and honest mind if you know I mean ,)If he'll pay that less money only, I will fail thinking of him as a trustful friend, if I'm making any sense If he will pay anything more than I'm asking, then it'll tell me that he's trully appreciated my work ...I'll let you know whether he will pass my trust test or not Congratulations once again Krissy !!!

kennyc wrote:Great Job! I would kind of like to see more darks/contrast, but that may be due to the image quality.

Definitely the photo quality, I had a lot of trouble getting the photo just right! The contrast is much more intense in person. The black of the gums really pops and I'm disappointed I couldn't photograph it accurately! A scanner is on the cards eventually.

I saw it on FB just moments ago I were very lazy regarding the quality of drawings I been posting, and later I realised how it's affecting the viewer's opinions...Since then I'm at least trying to put more attention what I share on FB or other forums Well done Krissy